Cafe Haven, a bistro/coffee house in Sherwood Park has been around for a few years and is well-known to local residents. I’ve frequented this little restaurant several times but recently when I stopped in for lunch, I felt it had really hit its stride. The owners, Michael and Julie Harvey, offer up conscientious dishes inspired by global travels and made from local, seasonal and organic (when available) ingredients. They also offer an extensive list of tea and coffee drinks, locally brewed beer and a small selection of wines. Oh, and the Harvey’s are environmentally conscious as well; they recycle, they compost, and they belong to Live Local. They’re the kind of restaurant owners that other restaurant owners should emulate.

The Space
The restaurant is located in an old bank, and the cherished seating is in the vault, or what is now known as the Red Room.

The rest of the space is furnished in Formica-topped tables and kitschy chairs interspersed with contemporary furnishings and a few leather chairs to nestle in near the fireplace.

Cafe Haven feels like home.

The Food
Cafe Haven offers breakfast and lunch, and brunch on weekends. Each day features a home made soup and special. The day we went, butternut squash with roasted garlic soup was simmering on the stove and those ingredients combined were the perfect remedy to winter’s chill outside.

Butternut Squash and Roasted Garlic Soup with Coconut Curry Chicken Wrap

Chicken Sandwich with Caramelized Apples and Brie served with Roasted Potato, Cheese and Bacon soup

Crab and Feta Quiche on a Dill Crust

Irvings Farm Fresh Smoked Ham and Cheddar with Hummus Salad

I like what the Harveys do with food. Ingredients are sourced locally meaning what homemade food comes out on the plate is fresh and flavourful. I also like their commitment to local producers and the good relationships that result.

The desserts bring back memories of church potluck suppers and the good old days when we’d drive to relatives farms for weekend get-togethers, and I was happy to hear that all desserts are made in-house except for some that are made by an elderly couple with recipes used out of an old church cookbook — like the butter tarts. The cinnamon buns could very possibly take home the gold medal if they were ever entered in a contest.

Butter Tarts just like Grandma’s

Finest Cinnamon Buns in the County (and beyond).

Go for the food, go for the coffee, go for brunch on weekends, but you might have to fight the rest of the masses who know what a haven this Haven really is. Also, being given Honourable Mention for best cafe in the March 2012 issue of Avenue Magazine (Edmonton) hasn’t hurt business either.

Or, go on Thursday nights when they’re open late for Music Night. Follow Michael Harvey on Twitter  @cafehaven for menus, specials and events.

To listen to my CBC Edmonton AM review of Cafe Haven, click here